Medgadget

marLED Surgical Lights from KLS Martin

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:29:47 -0800

By perusing through the latest stuff coming out of Germany, we found a little press release from Gebrüder Martin GmbH & Co.KG, also known as KLS Martin Group, that profiled the company's new generation of operating lights, named marLED.

This operating room fixture runs on what the company calls "Second-Generation LEDs" and is designed to minimize formation of shadows and to deliver a cold, bright light. Furthermore, the marLED can be equipped with KLS Martin's surgiCam SD and HD camera systems, for an intraop procedure recording. The camera can be seen in the picture below.

From marLED product page:

In this brand-new product line, high-performance LEDs are used as a basis for effective problem solution even where surgical field illumination is difficult. By using a new overall approach in terms of design as well as lighting technology, it was possible to overcome the limits of existing solutions and set new standards regarding shadow prevention and color fidelity. The radically new optical and housing concept also makes a lasting contribution towards facilitating the surgeon's work. The innovative, modern design with its symbiosis of ergonomics and technology gives the operating room a pleasing, state-of-the-art atmosphere.

Maximum adaptation of the light field

Space-saving design creates room for movement

Compatibility with laminar flow systems

Ergonomic and perfectly easy operation with sensoTouch and sensoGrip

Cool light and excellent shadow compensation

Variable color temperature

Product pages: marLED; surgiCam

Press release: The marLED Lights from KLS Martin ...

RoSS Simulator Preps Surgeons to Use da Vinci Robot

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:45:25 -0800

Researchers from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and State University of New York at Buffalo, developed a surgical simulator to help train physicians to operate the da Vinci robot. The RoSS Robotic Surgical Simulator has been turned into a product and commercialized by a spinoff called Simulated Surgical Systems of Williamsville, NY. Practicing physicians and students can train on common tasks like suturing and knot tying, and even perform complete procedures like radical prostatectomies and hysterectomies.

Features of the device:

Stand-alone surgical simulator that is independent of a surgical robot, vision cart

Cost of operating the RoSS is minimal as no consumables or disposables are required

The RoSS data management system allows performance analysis and measurement tools to objectively measure and record performance

User does not require monitoring thus enabling maximum flexibility and opportunity for training

Surgical procedures can be rehearsed

New surgical procedure modules can be added to the RoSS

RoSS does not require an operating room environment and can be set up in a location most advantageous to access and training needs

RoSS has a monitor which allows a user or tutor to observe the procedure

Comprehensive curriculum to train for motor, and cognitive skills required to operate surgical robot

Suite of simulated surgical procedures for fellow or resident to follow, and recreate the surgical steps of an expert surgeon

Press release: Introducing RoSS, a "Flight Simulator" for Robotic Surgery ...

Product page: RoSS Robotic Surgical Simulator ...

Riester Unveils New ENT Scopes

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:43:04 -0800

Riester out of Jungingen, Germany has released a new line of ophthalmoscopes and otoscopes that feature efficient cool white LED lighting, easy battery management, quick swapping of instrument heads, and a choice of using handles built for C or AA batteries.

All the ri-scope® L- series’ E.N.T. (ear, nose and throat) diagnostic instruments feature Riester’s new LED lighting technology that provides a whiter light, improving examinations because of its enhanced image clarity and colour contrast. The area under examination is shown in true-colour – the improved red-colour contrast aiding a reliable and exact diagnosis. Lamps with LED technology have a lifetime of at least 10,000 hours, compared to just 20-30 hours for halogen and xenon lamps.

The ri-scope® L range combines energy efficient LED technology with a long lasting, light-weight lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery to ensure sustained, high-power performance and significant cost savings. Li-Ion batteries have the benefit of achieving a considerably higher charging capacity and longer lifetime than regular batteries and provide sustained high performance for up to 1200 charging cycles.

Riester also recently launched its heotronic® technology for instrument handles. This new patent pending technology makes it possible to power both LEDs and conventional bulbs electronically. This means that all ri-scope® L instrument heads only need one handle, no matter which kind of illumination is selected. 100% light output is guaranteed immediately after a slight turn of the electronic switch and it is possible to regulate light intensity very smoothly in both directions. An automatic turn-off function after 120 seconds guarantees that LEDs, bulbs and the Li-Ion rechargeable batteries are conserved and can be used as long as possible.

All ri-scope® L instrument heads can be used with C- or AA-handles, making them portable, or with the Riester diagnostic wall mounted station, the ri-former®.

Press release: New High Performance ri-scope L Ophthalmoscopes and Otoscopes from Riester ...

Product page: ri-scope® L ...

ri-scope® L brochure... (.pdf)

Medtronic's ENT Scope Sheath Proves Effective for Germicidal Protection

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:56:29 -0800

A study out of Boston University School of Medicine, presented last week at the annual Triological Society meeting, has looked into the effectiveness of Medtronic's Slide-On Sensory Sheath as an alternative to germicidal immersion for flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopes in between procedures. The condom-like device is wrapped over the fiber optic cable to prevent ENT scopes from getting dirty in the first place. The scope still requires an "enzymatic detergent cleaning and disinfection with 70 percent alcohol" when switching between patients, but the Slide-On should still save time during busy use of the scope.

From a Medtronic statement:

Microbial study results show that sterile disposable sheaths, when used with endoscopes, are as effective as using a liquid germicidal system for disinfecting scopes between patient procedures and provide protection against cross-contamination equivalent to immersion in germicidal solutions.
The Medtronic Slide-On™ EndoSheath® System is a sterile, disposable cover for flexible endoscopes that provides a latex-free barrier between the scope and the patient. The system is designed to reduce patient contact with organic debris and staff exposure to hazardous chemicals. The study authors noted that the system is an alternative to time-intensive chemical reprocessing, allows for quick scope turnaround and helps physicians maximize time treating patients.

Press release: Study Suggests Slide-On Endosheath System Provides Several Advantages Over Traditional Germicidal Immersion ...

Product page: Slide-On™ Sensory Sheath ...

Flashbacks: Slide-On™ Sensory Sheath for ENT

Dental Hearing Aid Technology from Sonitus Medical

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:53:03 -0800

Sonitus Medical out of San Mateo, California is a company that's betting on bone conducting dental hearing implant technology. The SoundBite Hearing System that the firm is developing consists of a unit that has a microphone and wireless transmitter, and a tiny speaker that attaches to rear teeth to resonate and transmit the audio mechanically to the cochleae. The idea for this technology is not new and maybe risky, but Sonitus Medical seems confident it can earn regulatory approval and introduce an all new hearing aid technology to market.

The SoundBite hearing system consists of both a BTE (behind the ear) microphone unit, housing the receiver, wireless transmitter, and attached microphone, and a discreet, removable ITM (in the mouth) hearing device. An inductive charger unit is provided to charge the BTE microphone unit and ITM hearing device.
SoundBite is designed to detect sound using a tiny microphone placed in an open-fit dome within the ear canal of the impaired ear. This nearly invisible microphone is attached by a thin tube to a transmitter unit called a BTE worn behind the ear. Placing the microphone in the ear canal is intended to allow the SoundBite hearing system to capitalize on the natural acoustic benefit provided by the patient's own pinna or outer ear to capture and direct sound.

Once sound is captured by the microphone, it is processed by the BTE digital audio device. The BTE wirelessly transmits sound to the removable ITM (in the mouth) hearing device, which is custom made for your own teeth for optimal comfort and function. The ITM hearing device in turn uses advanced technology to produce imperceptible sound vibrations that are conducted via the teeth, through bone, to the both cochleae. In this way, the SoundBite hearing system is intended to provide clear, high fidelity sound and thus restore normal hearing to patients who are essentially deaf in one ear with no surgery or modifications to the teeth required.

SoundBite hearing system is intended for patients who suffer from single sided deafness, conductive hearing loss, or mixed hearing loss and seek a non-surgical, non-invasive, hearing device that delivers high fidelity sound.

Product page: SoundBite ...

(hat tip: ScienceRoll)

IMRIS Combination MRI Fluoroscopy Systems for Intraprocedural Multimodal Imaging

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:43:51 -0800

IMRIS out of Winnipeg, Canada recently received FDA approval to market the firm's neurovascular and cardiovascular combination MRI/X-ray angiography systems. The IMRISnv and IMRIScardio systems feature MRI scanners that ride on rails attached to the ceiling and a complete fluoroscopy package that can be swung in and out of the surgical field. This combination allows clinicians to quickly evaluate the problem, perform a procedure, and then check back with the MRI to see how it went, all without moving the patient.

IMRISNV features a wide bore 3T MRI scanner and a bi-plane angiography system completely integrated into a single suite that permits the patient to transition quickly and seamlessly between MR imaging and intervention without transporting the patient between modalities. Using IMRISNV, MR images can be taken before and during procedures to assess tissue health, and can also be used in conjunction with the fluoroscopic images during the interventional procedure. On completion of the procedure, new images can be taken to evaluate the intervention.

IMRIScardio provides physicians with enhanced images for visualizing the cardiovascular system before, during and after an intervention. The IMRIScardio suite includes a wide bore 1.5T MRI scanner and a single-plane or biplane angiography system providing the ability to alternate between imaging modalities and immediately assess treatment.

Link: IMRIS...

Press release: IMRIS RECEIVES FDA CLEARANCE FOR IMRISNV AND IMRIScardio... (.pdf)

Esteem Totally Implantable Hearing Device On Track for US Approval

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:36:30 -0800

Last Friday we reported that the FDA's Ear, Nose, and Throat Advisory Committee has met to discuss whether to recommend approval of Envoy Medical's (St. Paul, Minn) fully implantable hearing aid. Now word is that the group unanimously voted to suggest giving the go ahead to allow marketing of the Esteem device in the US.

More details in the press release: FDA Advisory Panel Votes 15 to 0 in Favor of Approving Envoy Medical's Esteem® Fully Implantable Hearing Restoration System...

Flashback: Esteem Totally Implantable Hearing Device Under Consideration for Approval in US

A Christmas Gift to Intuitive Surgical: TransOral Robotic Surgery Gets FDA Approval

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:31:52 -0800

The FDA has given the go ahead for surgeons to use robotic surgery for procedures in the throat and nearby regions by going through the mouth. In effect, this is a new indication for the Da Vinci Surgical System from Intuitive Medical, as it is the only robot of its type that can be used to perform the procedures. The transoral applications of robotic surgery have been developed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where a special center was created to study the subject.

Drs. Gregory S. Weinstein and Bert W. O’Malley, Jr. of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery founded the world’s first TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) program at Penn Medicine in 2004, where they developed and researched the TORS approach for a variety of robotic surgical neck approaches for both malignant and benign tumors of the mouth, voice box, tonsil, tongue and other parts of the throat. Since 2005, approximately 350 Penn patients have participated in the world’s first prospective clinical trials of TORS.
Head and neck tumor treatments often involve a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In many cases, surgery offers the greatest chance of cure; yet conventional surgery may require an almost ear-to-ear incision across the throat or splitting the jaw, resulting in speech and swallowing deficits for patients. In comparison, the minimally invasive TORS approach, which accesses the surgical site through the mouth, has been shown to improve long term swallowing function and reduce risk of infection while speeding up the recovery time. When compared to traditional surgeries, after their cancers have been removed successfully, patients have been able to begin swallowing on their own sooner and leave the hospital earlier. TORS outcomes are markedly improved when compared to standard chemotherapy, radiation or traditional open surgical approaches for oropharyngeal cancer.

Press release: FDA Clears TransOral Robotic Surgery - Developed at Penn -for Tumors of Mouth, Throat and Voice Box...

Esteem Totally Implantable Hearing Device Under Consideration for Approval in US

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:13:04 -0800

Today at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Advisory Committee of the FDA a meeting is under way to consider whether to recommend approval of Envoy Medical's (St. Paul, Minn) fully implantable hearing aid. The Esteem device uses a piezoelectric sensor to monitor the eardrum and convert the signal into digital for processing. The processed information is then converted back into physical vibrations and applied to the stapes capitulum. MedPage Today is reporting that in a recent clinical trial the device improved the hearing of a good number of subjects, but almost half experienced some sort of adverse effects such as taste disturbance and facial palsy.

The Esteem™ Totally Implantable Hearing Device (TIMED) is a totally implantable hearing system that is implanted under the skin behind the ear and in the middle ear space. The Esteem™'s purpose is to help improve hearing in adult patients who have mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss, and who have at least 60% or better discrimination of words (WRS). The goal is to provide comfortable, natural sounding, high fidelity sound to participants with sensorineural hearing loss by direct driving of inner ear fluid.

The Esteem™ device consists of: (1) a Sensor-PZT transducer that serves as a microphone, (2) an implantable Esteem™ Sound Processor containing a non-rechargeable battery, (3) connecting IS1-like leads that detach from the Sound Processor, and (4) a Driver-PZT transducer that vibrates the stapes. There is no external hardware, and the ear canal is not occluded. Control and programming of the Esteem™ are achieved through transcutaneous telemetry. Black arrows indicate the pathway that sensed sound energy travels through the Esteem™ system. The second (incus) and third (stapes) hearing bones are separated to prevent feedback vibrations.

Will High Def 3D Binocular Disparity Monitor Make a Clinical Jump?

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:47:21 -0800

LG of Seoul, South Korea has released a 23 inch LCD monitor that can display 3D video and graphics at full HD resolution (we're assuming this means 1080p). The system comes with shutter glasses that synchronize to how the screen flashes between views for the left and right eye, an effect called binocular disparity. Now it's looking more and more likely that 3D technology will soon be a common modality to view volumetric, live images in radiology rooms and in the ORs.

The panel adopts the company’s proprietary technologies such as “high performance 3D exclusive controller” capable of processing more than twice as much image data as other HD 3D LCDs and “copper bus line” to improve on the resolution and picture quality. In addition, the panel is able to reproduce both 2D and 3D images, meaning that users can switch back and forth from 2D and 3D modes.
Although full HD 3D images have been developed for contents such as video games, movies and animations, 3D display products with full HD resolution were unavailable in the market. The commercial launch of LG Display’s full HD 3D LCD panel is expected to help to boost development of high resolution 3D contents while allowing users to view true-to-life 3D images.

Press release: LG Display Rolls Out 3D LCDs with Full HD Resolution

(hat tip: Vizworld)